Online publishers split over Lord Hunt's reform proposals

Share this

PCC chairman Lord Hunt told Press Gazette this week that all major UK newspaper and magazine publishers are now committed to signing up to a reformed system of press regulation.

And he said he has approached a number of online-only publishers to join whatever body replaces the Press Complaints Commission.

But research by Press Gazette suggests a mixed response so far from online publishers.

Publisher of the popular Order-Order blog, Paul Staines, told Press Gazette he would not be signing up to the new system as did Spiked Online. Media Briefing editor Patrick Smith said he thought it highly unlikely that his website would sign up – having previously questioned the value of PCC membership.

Yahoo, one of the biggest online news publishers in the UK, declined to comment.

But Huffington Post UK said: “We could support an improved model of self-regulation to bolster the PCC as it currently stands.”

And Politics Home said they would “probably” sign up to the new regulator.

It emerged this week that the libel arbitration arm of the new press regulator could be delayed and that other incentives for publishers – such as controlling access to press cards and Press Association – have been dropped.